Diabetes, a chronic metabolic illness that is also referred to as the "silent killer," affects millions of individuals worldwide. With the number of people with diabetes continually rising, this condition has become a major public health problem in the Philippines. Even though diabetes is common, you may be unaware of these bitter-sweet facts about the metabolic disease.
(Bitter) sweet fact no. 1: Eating sweet things in life is not the only cause of Diabetes
You might not realize how complex the connection is between sweet foods and diabetes.
TYPE 1 DIABETES is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the pancreas's insulin-producing beta cells. Without insulin, we cannot control our blood sugar levels, which may be extremely dangerous.
When your body is unresponsive to the amount of insulin, it creates TYPE 2 DIABETES, the most common kind of diabetes. Your body eventually cannot produce enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels within the usual range. Being overweight or obese, as well as having a family history of diabetes, are among the primary risk factors for this type of diabetes. However, consuming a lot of sugar increases your risk of diabetes indirectly by making you gain weight and have more body fat.
(Bitter) sweet fact no. 2: Diabetes is a life-threatening condition
It is not about avoiding a sweet dessert or taking an insulin injection. Diabetes might result in implications if it is not well managed. Almost every part of the body may be affected by this condition. Common conditions include heart disease, retinopathy (visual impairment), renal issues, nerve damage, and severe amputation.
(Bitter) sweet fact no. 3: Having diabetes can have an impact on one’s mental health
Diabetes patients frequently experience anger, depression, or anxiety. After all, having to test your blood sugar often throughout the day, keep track of your diet, and inject insulin oneself or take medicine daily can be difficult.
(Bitter) sweet fact no. 4: An active lifestyle might cure diabetes
Make good lifestyle choices to defeat diabetes. Losing weight might be an effective strategy in lowering high blood sugar levels because obesity and being overweight are the major causes of insulin resistance.
Every 4th week of July, the Philippines observes Diabetes Awareness Week. It aims to address the need for public education on diabetes, one of the country's top 10 causes of death. (PIA-NCR)
